Valdivia is a city located 800 kilometers south from Santiago, near the Pacific coast, and surrounded by several rivers.
Arriving to Valdivia
If you come from Santiago, In order to arrive to Valdivia, one has several options:
By plane from Santiago
You can take a plane at Santiago (SCL) Airport to Valdivia Pichoy Airport. This is a small airport with two current companies flying to Valdivia every day. Here there are several options.
SKY AIRLINES Flight 14:45 SCL to 16:10 ZAL
Here you have distances from Santiago to Valdivia, either by plane or by car.
From Pichoy Airport to Valdivia, take any common transportation (Transfer). Prices are between 3000 and 5000 CLP (5-8 USD), and the duration of the ride is about 30-40 mins.
By bus from Santiago (cheapest)
Take a bus company at Terminal de buses Santiago, usually buses depart by night and arrive early in the morning. Prices are between 13.000 CLP and 24000 CLP depending on the commodities.
Currencies
Chilean national currency is Chilean Peso (CLP). As of September 5 2016, 1UDS = 671.38 CLP, and 1EUR = 750.39 CLP. Please check the actual value of currencies at these addresses:
USD to CLP, and EUR to CLP
Usually USD or EUR are accepted in hotels or important commerce. If you come from abroad and pay with international cash (USD or EUR) you can avoid paying standard transaction taxes. However, the vast majority of the country’s commerce only accept CLP or debit/credit cards.
Customs
Chilean customs are known to be very restrictive; please do not bring to Chile any food or organic material unless you have experience and already know how to pass it through customs; otherwise it could be requested by Chilean authorities.
Visiting
Starting from Valdivia to south, one can visit different places: the most well-known are the Llanquihue Lake and Osorno Volcano, among many other small places. After three hours by bus from Valdivia, one reaches the end of “continental Chile”:
Starting from Puerto Montt the traditional road is over and one has essentially two options: either west (Chiloe Island, with beautiful traditional towns) or the east, starting point of the (in)famous Carretera Austral. Each step requires to ride one or several ferries. See the map below for more details:
